Transcript Highlights:

• Program, or FSP. starting with a brief overview of the foundation school program, and then moving into
• Slide 2 provides a brief overview of the Foundation School Program.
• We used two programs. One, the Water Loan Assistance Program.
• Fund and the Rural Water Assistance Fund to target those communities Those are financial assistance programs
• We try to work with them to identify other financial assistance programs. programs, like our D-Fund,

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So really, we have four programs.
• So really, we have four programs.
• Another annual program is the School District Review Program, and while this is not a Census Bureau funding
• District Review Program?
• So to meet those requirements, we've organized the 2030 program into a five-phase program.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on census preparation, focusing first on testimony from U.S. Census Bureau staff James Whitehorn and Andrea Grace Johnson. They described the Bureau’s decade-long geographic and redistricting programs, including the Boundary and Annexation Survey, School District Review Program, Participant Statistical Area Program, and Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA), along with the Block Boundary Suggestion Project and voting district collection. They emphasized that Massachusetts has been a strong partner in these efforts and explained how the Bureau is using updated street data, building footprints, machine learning, and change detection to improve address lists and track new housing. Whitehorn also reviewed the 2030 redistricting data program, the legal basis for it under PL 94-171, the role of state nonpartisan liaisons, and the expected timeline for data delivery. He noted that OMB’s revised race and ethnicity standards will merge those questions into one and add a Middle Eastern/North African category. Committee members asked about the new standards, state contacts, and how boundary updates are submitted, and the witnesses said they would provide the slide deck and contact information. Wendy Underhill and Helen Brewer of NCSL then testified about why census preparation matters for states, stressing its impact on data, federal funding, and political representation. They outlined optional steps states can take before 2030, including staying in touch with Census Bureau staff, identifying state and local personnel involved in census work, supporting local participation in Bureau programs, and creating complete count committees or commissions. They cited Massachusetts’s prior complete count committee and grantmaking efforts as an example and said such efforts can improve self-response and overall accuracy. They also noted that state legislatures can act as conveners and trusted messengers, and they discussed broader issues such as privacy protections, differential privacy, budget uncertainty, and the possibility of future litigation or a citizenship question. Secretary of State William Galvin then gave extended remarks on Massachusetts’s 2020 census experience and the need to prepare early for 2030. He said the state faced major challenges in 2020 from the pandemic, litigation, and rhetoric about citizenship, and that Massachusetts relied heavily on local records, university data, and community outreach to document residents, especially students and non-native-born populations. He argued that the state should strengthen local recordkeeping now through LUCA, annual resident lists, assessors’ and zoning records, and other local data sources, and he urged support for a proposed $500,000 appropriation for census-related grants and technical assistance. Galvin said better preparation is needed because housing patterns, population shifts, and local administrative capacity have changed since 2020, and he emphasized that the goal is to improve the completeness of the records the Census Bureau will use in 2030.

Transcript Highlights:

• services, and research programs.
• In the schools telemedically.
• And so we would just ask that your continued investment in those schools that have allied health programs
• But we're able to look at a new program, for instance, our ABA program.
• Actually, all of our inpatients receive school through Norman public schools.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One program that some of those competitive funds support prepares women for construction trades that
• One program that some of those competitive funds support prepares women for construction trades that
• Specifically, our work focuses on technical assistance and strengthening development programs.
• It's a pilot program, and it is designed to try to assist individuals who are justice-involved, who are
• , to Rise and including those high school students and partner with the Upward Bound program on campus

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we're here today to talk about the Operating Engineer High School pathway program, a program that
• Uh, we're here today to talk about the Operating Engineer High School pathway program, a program that
• Uh, we're here today to talk about the Operating Engineer High School pathway program, a program that
• for high school about assistance for high school students<00:30:52.480><c> in</c><00:30:52.640><c> the
• I researched a lot of construction programs online, and it didn't really seem like it fit.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, National Housing
• So, I come from real estate, family of construction.
• , and affordable housing construction.
• So very specific to the I don't know. rental assistance and affordable housing construction.
• This is not a million dollar per unit subsidy in this program.

Summary: The committee opened its first Senate Housing hearing of 2026 by taking up several two-year bills and bond measures. SB 222 by Senator Wiener, the Heat Pump Access Act, would streamline permitting for heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems, allow video/phone participation by contractors during inspections, and limit HOA barriers. Supporters said the bill would cut costs, speed replacements, reduce pollution, and help Californians lower energy bills; the League of California Cities opposed unless amended, citing concerns about a permit fee cap and virtual inspections. After questions about fees, inspection liability, HOA authority, and electrical panel upgrades, the bill passed 10-0 to Senate Local Government. The committee then considered SB 677, a follow-up to SB 79. The author announced the bill would be narrowed to two definition changes and that broader SB 79 cleanup would come in a new bill later in 2026. Testimony reflected both support and concern: some local governments and counties said more clarity was needed on implementation, transit-related definitions, and timing, while housing and transit advocates supported the cleanup and the removal of the ferry-stop provision. The committee approved the amended bill 10-1 to Local Government. SB 417, the Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, proposed a $10 billion general obligation bond for affordable rental housing, supportive housing, homeownership, and preservation. Supporters argued that state housing funds had been exhausted, that thousands of shovel-ready units were waiting for financing, and that the bond would leverage federal tax credits and create jobs. Opponents, including Habitat for Humanity, asked for a dedicated CalHome set-aside for homeownership. Members debated state debt levels, bond repayment, and whether the state should rely more on direct appropriations, but the bill passed 8-1 to Appropriations. The committee also began hearing SB 492, the Youth Housing and Youth Center bond, which the author said was intended to be folded into a larger housing bond package. The bill would authorize bonds for youth housing and youth centers for transition-age youth up to age 25, with the author arguing that early intervention could prevent future homelessness. The transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on SB 492.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the School Facilities Construction Commission, we authorize new offers of assistance of $40 million
• . schools. schools.
• </c> Assistance Program Initiatives. Assistance Program Initiatives.
• </c> supported living program. supported living program.
• . program. program.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On the charter school uh uh program,<00:04:41.680><c> that</c><00:04:41.919><c> is</c><00:04:42.400><
• Also $280,000 for updates to the MEC system. $6,250,000 to assist with adult felony drug court program
• Also $280,000 for updates to the MEC system. $6,250,000 to assist with adult felony drug court program
• Also $280,000 for updates to the MEC system. $6,250,000 to assist with adult felony drug court program
• . program. program.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 12 March, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen folks who are mostly the same as me going to school, missing school due to asthma, being either
• I believe the asthma program was pretty strong for folks at home and for school support.
• We know that we have a lot of schools in Roxbury, so we did a study near the Haley School, and we see
• in Roxbury so we did a study near the Haley school and we see that are mostly doing school hours of
• I remember in high school I went to Norwell High School in the South Shore.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a lengthy hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills related to environmental health, PFAS, medical device chemicals, food access, lead poisoning, air quality, oral health, and school food additives. Chair Driscoll and Chair Decker emphasized that the hearing was for testimony only, no decisions would be made that day, and that written testimony could still be submitted. They also noted the high volume of speakers and asked witnesses to keep remarks brief. A major portion of the hearing focused on PFAS-related legislation, including bills to restrict PFAS in products and food packaging and to create a PFAS remediation trust fund. Municipal officials and advocates described the high costs of PFAS cleanup, especially for drinking water systems, citing Easton’s multimillion-dollar treatment investments and rate increases. Testimony from legislators and advocates argued that Massachusetts should act despite federal uncertainty, and that the state should stop PFAS at the source rather than leaving municipalities and residents to pay for remediation. The committee also heard strong support for a bill banning DEHP in medical devices, with physicians, nurses, and a bill sponsor saying the chemical can leach from IV bags and tubing and that safer alternatives already exist. The committee also heard testimony on bills to establish statewide food truck permitting, with food truck owners and a senator describing the current system as costly, duplicative, and inconsistent across municipalities. Another set of witnesses supported the “Bean New Deal,” which would expand plant-based food options in public institutions, senior nutrition programs, and WIC, citing health, equity, and cost savings. On lead poisoning, housing advocates and a representative backed bills to expand lead-safe housing requirements to all rental units, arguing the current law contributes to discrimination against families with children and leaves too much pre-1978 housing uncertified. The committee also heard support for an outdoor air pollution bill that would create an advisory committee, identify pollution hotspots, expand monitoring, and set reduction targets, with testimony from environmental justice groups, pediatricians, and legislators describing disproportionate asthma and other health harms in overburdened communities. Later testimony addressed oral health bills to create dental therapists and allow dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide, with supporters saying the measures would expand access, reduce costs, and help underserved patients. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to prohibit harmful food dyes in competitive school foods, with parents describing behavioral and health concerns tied to synthetic dyes. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also a graduate of the Healthy School Food Pathways Fellowship Program.
• of the Healthy School Food Pathways Fellowship Program.
• trained workers to school meal programs.
• of the Healthy School Food Pathway Fellowship Program.
• to school meal programs.

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the California Community Colleges budget proposal, including Proposition 98 funding, a 2.41% COLA for apportionments, enrollment growth funding, repayment of an apportionment deferral, and one-time investments for a student support block grant and deferred maintenance. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s package as providing significant new resources, while the LAO recommended prioritizing COLA and enrollment growth within available funds but raised concerns about some smaller proposals, including making the Healthy School Food Pathways Program ongoing and adding more funding for credit for prior learning before outcomes are known. The Chancellor’s Office supported the COLA, enrollment growth, and one-time investments, and said current projections suggest enrollment growth closer to 3%, with about $85 million to $90 million in ongoing costs if fully funded. Members focused heavily on enrollment growth, the 10% district cap, and whether the state should continue funding growth in the current year and budget year. The Chancellor’s Office said some districts, especially in the Inland Empire and Central Valley, are growing rapidly and that about seven districts are above the cap, with roughly 1,563 FTES and about $30 million in ongoing costs tied to that issue. Members also discussed hold-harmless districts and whether declining campuses should be required to produce turnaround or right-sizing plans. The Chancellor’s Office said districts are already having local conversations and that state funding provides time to adjust, but no formal plan requirement was proposed. The committee then took up common course numbering, where the Chancellor’s Office said all 115 community colleges have implemented the first phase and more than 550,000 students enrolled in the first six commonly numbered courses. The office argued that CCN improves clarity but does not yet guarantee that credits will transfer with full value across UC and CSU, because articulation is still handled campus by campus and can require more than 3,500 separate reviews. Members expressed concern that students can still be forced to retake courses such as calculus or ethnic studies even when they have the same common number, and urged the systems to develop a stronger statewide articulation mechanism tied to outcomes and transparency. The item was left open. Finally, the committee heard the Governor’s proposal to make Calbright College’s funding ongoing at $53.1 million. The LAO recommended instead transitioning Calbright to the student-centered funding formula, with one-time bridge funding in the meantime, arguing the Governor’s proposal lacks a clear enrollment-based rationale and performance expectations. Calbright’s leadership defended the college’s competency-based, flexible model for adult learners, citing more than 6,800 students served, over 2,200 certificates awarded, and wage gains for graduates; they said enrollment is expected to grow from about 7,000 students now to roughly 8,000 to 9,000 next year and around 10,000 over the next couple of years. Members pressed for clearer enrollment and funding data before deciding how Calbright should be funded going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also a graduate of the Healthy School Food Pathways Fellowship Program.
• I'm also a graduate of the Healthy School Food Pathways Fellowship Program.
• of the Healthy School Food Pathways Fellowship Program.
• trained workers to school meal programs.
• trained workers to school meal programs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, the assisted living facilities are mainly the opposition.
• , recognized dental therapy school, or recognized dental hygiene school.
• from dental care provided at that dental school, the board must forward that complaint to that school
• complaints go to, and the board doesn't have authority over the school, so it was a separation.
• It exempts any school district that has a self-insurance program provided by a nonprofit health care

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate and House bills, many of them on consent or with strike-everything amendments. Topics included advanced air mobility for border security (SB 1457), raising the off-highway vehicle weight limit to 3,500 pounds while striking a proposed law enforcement fund (SB 1519), school property leases and a trampoline court safety citation change (HB 2383), electronic monitoring in health care facilities (SB 1041), dental school complaint handling and board jurisdiction limits (SB 1168), pharmacist-authorized testing and HIV prevention guidance (SB 1713), school district insurance/self-insurance requirements (SB 1497), reporting-requirement cleanup for education statutes (HB 2203), historic neighborhood housing zoning (SB 1118), construction contract payment protections in revitalization districts (SB 1189), timeshare salesperson licensing (SB 1274), workers’ compensation notice and recordkeeping (SB 1428), property tax disability exemption clarifications (HB 2120), insurance modeling/data organization requirements (HB 2174), HOA rules on chickens and pet breed restrictions (SB 1582), first responder death benefits for law enforcement pilots (SB 1503), and changes to virtual veterinary prescribing periods (SB 1286). Members generally asked clarifying questions, and several sponsors were said to intend to concur or refuse amendments, with HB 2010 headed to conference because the sponsor would not accept the Senate’s five-year refund window. On the second calendar, the committee heard HB 2176 on health facility complaint investigations, allowing DHS to investigate older complaints involving alleged abuse; HB 2050 on radiologic technologists and radiologist assistants, restoring direct supervision requirements with limited general-supervision exceptions; HB 2010 on digital goods, where the Senate reduced a refund window from 10 years to five and the sponsor planned to refuse; HB 2875 on unmanned aircraft, expanding airport drone-delivery buffer rules from one mile to two and a half miles and requiring airport consultation; HB 2428 on county certification of emission reduction credits, clarifying participation is voluntary and limiting new credits if fleet participation becomes mandatory; and HB 2877, which was struck and replaced with a veterinary technician certification pathway requiring 4,000 supervised work hours and allowing nonprofit curriculum evidence. Several members noted support or opposition based on prior votes or policy concerns, but no roll-call votes were taken in the caucus itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now I personally, you know, your community ticketing program, whether it's through the schools, whether
• And we do have a Celebrate 28 program.
• So I think the assistance, financial assistance, the technical assistance, the plan, timing... ...assistance
• The mayor mentioned the Clean Corridors Program.
• We will have composting programs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:21.440><c> and</c> agency is in charge of this program and agency is in charge of this program
• </c><00:04:56.000><c> projects</c> certain Capital construction projects certain Capital construction
• </c> scope of the actual construction scope of the actual construction project<00:07:03.280><c> so</c
• and operations of a design construction and operations of a particular<00:08:53.880><c> construction
• ><c> our</c> for assistance bonding assistance on our for assistance bonding assistance on our facility

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide one to public schools and one to charter schools so that they can be successful in their programs
• All districts across the spectrum of U.S. schools are engaged in this whole program.
• the Albuquerque Public School District are using the M&V program to a very high level.
• The pilot program is being managed at no upfront costs for the school districts.
• Technology catches up with our construction with regards to a school district saying no.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill creates a Renaissance grant program to assist the eight counties with declining populations
• districts, school construction, revenue distribution, the fiscally constrained—one of the fiscally constrained
• programs has been outdated.
• districts, school construction, revenue distribution, the fiscally constrained—one of the fiscally constrained
• programs has been outdated.

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and first considered CS/SB 7012 on child welfare, presented by Senator Graal. The bill addressed three areas: child welfare workforce shortages, higher-acuity children in out-of-home care, and services/data for commercially sexually exploited children. It would create a CPI and case manager recruitment program aimed at former public safety and service workers, convene a workforce work group, establish a four-year treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits identified by DCF based on removal and placement data, and require more detailed, extractable child-level data on commercially sexually exploited children along with a bed capacity study and service gap analysis. Two amendments were adopted: one clarified record retention for redacted assessments, and another attached the appropriation. The committee then heard CS/SB 110 on rural communities from Senator Simon. The bill proposed a broad rural development package, including a state office of rural prosperity, a Renaissance grant program for counties with declining populations, increased housing support, major rural road funding, school consortium funding, and additional health care resources for rural facilities and training. A delete-all amendment was adopted that expanded and refined several provisions, including local sales tax trust fund distributions, county connectivity projects, agritourism marketing support, disaster-impacted rural infrastructure eligibility, insurance and provider eligibility changes, and increased funding for critical access hospitals and rural medical education reimbursement. Both bills drew broad support from local government, education, health care, housing, and rural advocacy representatives. Supporters said the rural bill was especially comprehensive and would help small counties, schools, roads, housing, and health care, while one witness cautioned that road expansion should be balanced with protection of agricultural and natural lands. Senator Bradley and Senator Simon emphasized local control and the importance of strengthening rural Florida without imposing mandates. CS/SB 7012 and CS/SB 110 were both reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• with this program.
• with this program.
• of School Business Officials, respectfully opposed.
• Then committee assistant, please call the roll.
• It's fundamental to your construct, right?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, because of ongoing construction at the prison, which has displaced some rehabilitation programs
• This is for programming such as after-school and summer learning initiatives, the purchase of educational
• I'm Gary McCready, Assistant Director of the Central California Appellate Program, one of the programs
• The VOCA backfill, the Human Trafficking Victims Assistance Program, and we oppose the cut to flexible
• cash assistance.

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision presentations for the Office of Emergency Services, Judicial Branch, CDCR, and the Department of Justice, with the LAO offering comments and recommendations throughout. For Cal OES, the administration outlined funding for relocating the Red Mountain communications site, increased FEMA reimbursement authority, cybersecurity grants, next-generation 911 support, and a reduction to the Flexible Cash Assistance for Survivors of Crime program. Members raised concerns about VOCA backfill and disaster reimbursement, while the LAO recommended approving the 911 request with reporting, adding contingency planning for cybersecurity grants, clarifying the FEMA reimbursement language, and increasing reporting on emergency spending. For the Judicial Branch, the May Revision included funding for implementation of the Trial Nations Access to Justice Act, reductions tied to court facilities and employee benefits, and General Fund solutions such as a reduction to the pretrial release program, a reversion from the Trial Court Trust Fund, and elimination of the jury duty pilot program. The LAO cautioned that the pretrial reduction could affect detention and release decisions and recommended tighter legislative oversight over the trust fund transfer and reallocation language. Members questioned the impact of the pretrial cut, the lack of Prop. 36 court funding, and the rationale for the jury pilot elimination; the Judicial Branch said it was generally supportive of the budget as proposed. CDCR presented requests for roof repairs, fire alarm replacements, CalAIM-related costs, and trailer bill changes on incarcerated college students, mental health hiring, and tuberculosis testing, along with a planned prison closure by October 2026. The department also proposed reducing or delaying several items, including radio replacement, ADA improvements, COVID mitigation, and some facility upgrades, while adding a $125 million placeholder for consultant-driven operational savings. The LAO recommended rejecting or reducing several San Quentin-related proposals, questioned the staffing and contract medical requests, and urged more transparency on the consultant savings plan; members expressed concern about the realism of the savings targets and the potential legal or operational risks from delaying ADA and radio projects. For DOJ, the May Revision proposed ongoing funding and 44 positions to defend against federal actions, IT and accounting system upgrades, implementation funding for AB 1877, and a special fund loan. The LAO supported the KLETS connection but asked for a contingency plan if the new DMV link is delayed, noted that AB 1877 would not be fully implemented without additional funding, and recommended limiting and reporting on the federal accountability workload. Members questioned the size and permanence of the DOJ request, the use of the earlier $25 million special session appropriation, and the pace of federal litigation; DOJ said the new request would support ongoing litigation, expert assistance, and coordination across multiple cases and states.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a return of funds from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. That's a block grant.
• This is to operate the Community Assistance Grants Program.
• Department of the Treasury for a Small Business Credit Initiative technical assistance grant program.
• This is to provide bikes, safety equipment, and support to elementary schools for the All Kids Bike program
• or the crime victims program.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• buses and school zones.
• It authorizes WSDOT to implement complete streets requirements on Safe Routes to School Program, Connecting
• Communities Program, and bicycle and pedestrian grant program recipients when there are changes to state
• The bill requires permitted entities doing construction within 300 feet of hospital, park, and school
• It is vitally important that we remain distraction-free around schools, school zones, and playgrounds

Keywords: 904, all